Kassing method: what it is, how to do it and when to use it

If you are currently breastfeeding your baby and you need or want to combine it with a bottle, you have probably heard of the Kassing method. But what does the Kassing method involve? The Kassing method is a very popular approach that seeks to offer a solution to the nipple-teat confusion that babies suffer from when a generic bottle is used, totally different from the mother's breast and affecting their breastfeeding. And does the Kassing method really work? Well, the AEPED does not actually make any recommendation on the matter, but at Happymami we are going to tell you everything about this topic, to help you make the best decision with this post: discover the Kassing method.

Kassing method

The Kassing method was created to prevent the loss of breastfeeding when it needed to be combined with a bottle. And that is because, until the arrival of the Happymami project, with its bottles made to measure by each mum for her baby, all bottles were generic, totally different from each mother's body. Because they were created to replace breastfeeding, and only the anatomy of the baby and the best design to make sucking easier for the newborn were taken into account.

These generic bottles mean that more than 50% of babies who try a generic bottle stop breastfeeding, and methods like Kassing were a sticking plaster, to make it affect breastfeeding less. But thanks to the Happymami project, you now have the chance to design the bottle that best reflects your anatomy, preventing your baby from suffering from nipple confusion and protecting your breastfeeding.

Because we, when developing our Happymami bottles, have taken breastfeeding as a whole into account…. The mother's anatomy, the speed of breast milk ejection, its phases, the needs of the baby, the type of sucking… An exhaustive study that has led us to develop a bottle that is unique in the world, designed with care down to the smallest detail, in which the mum and her baby are the stars.

So how does the Kassing method work?

Before carrying out the Kassing method, we should bear in mind that babies do not know what a breast is, or what a bottle is; what they have are reflexes that allow them, for example, to feed, such as the rooting reflex, which becomes active when the perioral area of the newborn is stimulated, opening the mouth towards the stimulated side, and another very important reflex for our topic is the sucking reflex, which is activated by stimulating the oral cavity, especially the palate, starting the newborn off on the sucking movements.

If you are breastfeeding, your baby will learn over time what his mum's breast is like: big or small, with a characteristic nipple that he recognises as soon as he feels it in his mouth, as well as a certain flow of ejected milk, etc. This is the moment when you feel that you have breastfeeding established. But you need it, for example because the baby is not putting on enough weight, or you want to introduce a bottle without your breastfeeding being affected, so there are two options.

You can choose a generic bottle that is totally different from your breast, with which our recommendation is that you use the Kassing method. Or you can choose a Happymami bottle, designing the bottle that will best protect your breastfeeding, with which the Kassing method is not necessary. And in case, after reading this post, you decide to choose a generic bottle, we are going to give you the guidelines that this method recommends.

How to do the Kassing method

The Kassing method was created by an American breastfeeding consultant, Dee Kassing, to help mums who offer a generic bottle to their babies, and to help them continue breastfeeding, and it is based on the concept of making your baby have to put in "an effort" to feed from the bottle, which is why:

Use a slow-flow teat

For the Kassing method it is recommended to use a bottle with a slow-flow teat, so that the milk does not fall into your baby's mouth continuously. If you use a Happymami you should not use a slower flow. We, in order to develop our Happymami bottles, studied breastfeeding as a whole: the ejection of breast milk, the flow of milk at each stage, the baby's sucking, the baby's needs…. And from there we developed our flows.

So, if you want to do the Kassing method and you have a baby of 4 months and you give him a flow for 2-month-old babies, the main risk is that your baby rejects the bottle. That is why our recommendation is that, in order to carry out the Kassing method, you choose the flow that corresponds to them by age, and follow the guidelines we will give you when you make your purchase so that your baby accepts the bottle without affecting your breastfeeding.

Position the baby at a 90 degree angle

Or give the bottle as horizontally as possible. The theory behind this instruction of the Kassing method is to get them to take it slowly and to stop the milk from falling out due to gravity. Be careful, because sometimes, when thinking about carrying out the Kassing method, when the bottle is not completely full, what happens is that when your baby sucks on the bottle, no milk comes out, and it swallows air instead, and then suffers from newborn colic, as well as the tantrum it throws because it is not eating. We know it sounds silly, but it happens more often than we think.

Stimulate the corners of your baby's lips

To carry out the Kassing method, stimulate the corners of your baby's lips, to trigger your baby's rooting reflex, and once the mouth is open we insert the bottle.

Let them do 20-30 sucks and take it out of the mouth quickly

If you use Happymami bottles, do not make these changes, as they are designed to imitate the mother's breast.

Start the whole process again

Start the Kassing method process again from the beginning, monitoring your baby's signs of fullness, without forcing. Remember that the amount of milk taken per bottle that you can find in the guides is only a guide. Every baby is unique, and we should take their appetite into account when carrying out the Kassing method.

The best bottle for the Kassing method is the Happymami, designed specifically to respect the feeding technique that imitates breastfeeding. This bottle has a personalised teat that reproduces the shape and function of the nipple, allowing the baby to maintain natural sucking. Thanks to its design and safe materials, Happymami makes the transition between breast and bottle easier, avoiding confusion between teat and nipple, and it is ideal for those looking for mixed feeding without compromising breastfeeding.

Design your Bottle ®

LATCH scale

The LATCH scale is a tool used by healthcare professionals to assess the effectiveness of breastfeeding. "LATCH" is an acronym that stands for five key components:

1. L (Latch): The baby's attachment to the breast. This component assesses how the baby latches on to the nipple and the areola, which is crucial for effective breastfeeding. A good latch reduces the risk of sore nipples and ensures that the baby receives enough milk.
2. A (Audible swallowing): Audible swallowing by the baby. You observe and listen to whether the baby is swallowing audibly during breastfeeding, which indicates that they are getting enough milk.
3. T (Type of nipple): The mother's type of nipple. The type of nipple is assessed (inverted, flat, everted) and how it can affect breastfeeding. This component helps to identify whether additional techniques or devices such as nipple shields are needed to improve breastfeeding.
4. C (Comfort): The mother's comfort during breastfeeding. This aspect assesses the level of pain or discomfort that the mother experiences in her nipples and breasts, and can indicate problems such as cracked nipples or mastitis.
5. H (Hold/positioning): Positioning of the baby. This component analyses how the baby is positioned during breastfeeding, ensuring that both mother and baby are in a comfortable position that encourages effective latching and sucking.

Each component is scored from 0 to 2, with a possible total score of 10. This scale helps to identify and address specific breastfeeding problems, making for a more positive and successful breastfeeding experience for mother and baby.

Assessment of the Latch breastfeeding scale

The LATCH scale is an assessment tool that provides an estimate of the quality of breastfeeding, helping to identify possible areas for improvement. Although this scale is not a definitive diagnosis, it is very useful for guiding both mothers and healthcare professionals in supporting breastfeeding. The assessment is as follows:

1. L (Latch) – The baby's attachment to the breast:
   • 0: The baby does not latch on to the breast.
   • 1: The baby latches on but needs help or corrections.
   • 2: The baby latches on easily, with an effective latch.
2. A (Audible swallowing) – Audible swallowing by the baby:
   • 0: There are no swallowing sounds.
   • 1: Infrequent swallowing sounds.
   • 2: Regular and clearly audible swallowing.
3. T (Type of nipple) – Type of nipple:
   • 0: Inverted or flat nipple.
   • 1: A nipple that needs stimulation to stand out.
   • 2: Protruding nipple, easily accessible for the baby.
4. C (Comfort) – Maternal comfort:
   • 0: Significant pain or cracked nipples.
   • 1: Mild but tolerable pain; presence of redness or minimal cracking.
   • 2: No pain, the nipple is in good condition.
5. H (Hold) – Position and holding of the baby:
   • 0: The mother needs a lot of help to hold the baby.
   • 1: The mother needs some help with positioning.
   • 2: The mother holds the baby correctly without help.

Interpreting the results:

• Total score (0-10):
  • 7-10: Adequate breastfeeding.
  • 4-6: Breastfeeding that requires observation or intervention.
  • 0-3: Breastfeeding with significant problems that need immediate attention.

Conclusion: discover the Kassing method

As we always tell you, every baby is unique, so this text, as well as the Kassing method, will have to be adapted to your needs, achieving continuous learning. There are various currents of thought on the internet about everything, and even more so about motherhood, so we always advise you that when you read a blog you know that it is based on scientific evidence.

And when it comes to motherhood and parenting, there is nothing like the AEPED (Spanish Association of Paediatrics) and, in this case, it does not express an opinion on this method. For our part, with Happymami, we always seek to give you the best solution if you are breastfeeding and you want or need to use a bottle without your breastfeeding being affected. We work very hard every day to keep offering you the best, and by the way, you are doing great! Keep it up.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Kassing method for?

The Kassing method is used to offer mixed feeding or complementary bottle feeding, minimising the risk of the baby rejecting the breast. It promotes a way of feeding that imitates sucking at the breast, encouraging the continuity of breastfeeding and avoiding confusion between nipple and teat.

How is the quality of breastfeeding assessed?

Breastfeeding is assessed using tools such as the LATCH scale, which measures key aspects such as the baby's latch, swallowing, type of nipple, the mother's comfort and positioning. Signs of effective milk transfer are also observed, such as the baby's weight gain, nappy output and the absence of pain or damage to the nipple.

What is the best nipple-shaped bottle for the Kassing method?

The best bottle for the Kassing method is Happymami, as its design allows the teat to be personalised to fit the mother's nipple as closely as possible. Its long, narrow, slow-flow teat imitates the shape and function of the maternal nipple, encouraging natural sucking and avoiding confusion between breast and bottle.